U18s: Manchester United 3 – 0 Newcastle United

Manchester United’s U18s cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Newcastle, with James Wilson again putting in an impressive performance against the Magpies.

United’s previous game against Newcastle ended in a 7-1 win for United, with Wilson bagging five of the seven. He was again the main threat, and nearly put United in front within three minutes.

The U18s eventually took the lead 5 minutes later, when Mats Daehli skipped past a couple of would be tacklers and squared a ball to Andreas Pereira at the edge of Newcastle’s penalty, who scored with a low driven shot beyond goalkeeper Woodman to send Paul McGuinness’ team into a 1-0 lead.

Soon after, United began to apply the pressure as Wilson saw an effort deflected narrowly off target; whilst Donald Love, Jack Rudge and Pereira all had their chances go wide. The visitors were struggling to cope with the brilliance of United’s attacking play.

Pereira nearly doubled the margin when his free kick struck the crossbar and an upright, with Woodman well and truly beaten. Love was impressive all game at right back, and was involved in United’s second goal when he found Wilson with an inch perfect pass. The young forward excellently controlled the ball via his chest escaping the attention of Woodman in the process and slotting the ball into an empty net from a tight angle. Moments before the Scotland U17 international supplied a well placed cross into the penalty box but Rudge was unable to take advantage as headed over from close range.

United began the second half still dominant in attack, and probing passes which would test the Newcastle defence. Although, Newcastle nearly pulled one back early on when Rudge cleared an Alex Gilliead header off the line, whilst Steven Logan pounced on the rebound, only for Pierluigi Gollini kept the ball out of danger with a smart save.

United probed the whole of the second half, and finally wrapped up the result eight minutes from full time, as Kenji Gorre headed in easily from a cross by Daehli. United will go into their next game, away at Aston Villa, with a lot of confidence, as United continue their winning ways.